docfink

Hey--
My car was new to me in January 2014 and the maintenance light recently came on. It's at the local Porsche dealer for an "annual maintenance"--mainly an oil change and fluid check.

However, the service manager says the computer is calling for its first "tune-up", meaning new air and pollen filters, but most importantly, new spark plugs. Total is about $1800. The car has 18,000 miles now (bought with under 15,000). I drive the car 3-4 days week.

They say the spark plugs need to be done because the car is a 2010 and is now four years old. Sounds reasonable, but any advice from you experts?

nzskater

Regardless of the mechanical value in swapping them out, it's probably worth it to maintain the service history. It will pay for itself (to a certain degree) when it comes time to sell and you've got all the right stamps and check boxes ticked.

docfink

I'm thinking the same thing, but will confirm. I've also been told it's a 30,000 miles service or 4-5 years. I might wait until next year as another service manager where I bought the car suggested this is another good option considering the low miles on the car.

nzskater

I put this together for my car to keep track of it a bit easier:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bzx...m52ZVdLQXpObkk

The schedules have changed over time (as in Porsche have modified them in hindsight), the current schedules can be found here:
http://www.porsche.com/usa/accessori...anceintervals/

sidwin

i don't agree. if the car isn't misfiring why subject yourself to a spark plug change. trust me when i saw you'll won't notice any difference. i've changed probably close to 300 spark plugs and that is one item that i follow the miles not the time. on the flip side, i've changed plugs and had a new plug die within a year...

save up and when it is time to do it, knock out the coil packs while they are in there....

dml

Just do it. I have same car and just did the 4 year.

Look at it this way. If you do the recommended $1800 every 4 years thats 450/year. If you push it to 5 years, its $360 a year so you're saving $90 a year. I'd rather have the perfect service record even if it is probably overkill.

Dave

docfink

Impressive--thanks!

docfink

June 2015 it will be done...Thanks for all your input.

sidwin

good choice. nothing like changing a plug and having it fail a short duration afterwards.... happened to me 2x... luckily those cars wasn't a PITA like it is on this car. i own a lift and plan on using it. i would replace the coil packs since you're going to be in there. take the savings and do it then.

my car has 29k on it and the dealership said the car needs new plugs due to time... sure does... next year

Balloonmeister

This is very nice nzskater. I'm going to put together something like this for my car. Thanx for sharing this.

nzskater

Not a problem! You should be able to download the spreadsheet from that link. Let me know if that doesn't work and I can email it to you.

NeoMatrix

This exact question was asked and answered in the most recent Excellence magazine (Sept. '14) in the TECH section - it was recommended the plugs be changed to maintain the service history.

docfink

Indeed--I just read this, but will wait until 2015.Two dealers said it was fine, especially with my low mileage.